This is truly embarrassing.
Bai Jia was punished again, and only then did she come to her senses and become much more obedient.
It's just that Bai Jia was unlucky, because she only realized it when the Fourth Prince went out on official business.
It was on April 29th. I went to the palace early in the morning and returned before lunchtime. I went to the main courtyard to give some instructions, and left after the servants in the front courtyard had packed my clothes.
The Fujin then gathered everyone together and made a speech, the gist of which was that since the Fourth Prince was not in the mansion, everyone should behave themselves.
According to the Fujin, the Fourth Prince went to Jiangnan. The Cao family in Jiangnan has the current emperor's wet nurse. It is likely that the emperor asked the Fourth Prince to go and comfort her, which is a great honor for the Cao family. However, he probably has other official business to attend to. This is Li Chenjiao's guess.
After everyone dispersed, Li Chenjiao smiled sweetly and said, "Let's just make a fuss in the courtyard by ourselves for a while. I don't know when Fourth Master will be back."
To be honest, I'm a little panicked without Fourth Master around...
Today, Qiu Ci was with her, and when she heard her princess say that, she couldn't help but laugh. Only her princess likes to go out and make a fuss.
Back in the courtyard, the sewing room delivered two more sets of clothes. This time, Li Chenjiao was too lazy to try them on. She simply told Qiu Hu to put them away and went to lie down on the couch.
The first day without Fourth Master was boring.
"Princess, Fu Lu from the front yard has arrived!" Qiu Ci ran in.
Li Chenjiao tilted her head and looked over: "Fu Lu? He didn't go to Jiangnan with Fourth Master? What is he doing here?"
Qiu Ci shook her head: "I don't know, but there was a servant following behind carrying a large box."
Li Chenjiao sat up. Her son, Fulu, was already outside. Hearing that Li Chenjiao was taking a nap inside, he quickly said that he wouldn't go in and disturb the princess.
After explaining things to Qiu Hu outside and exchanging a few polite words, Xiao Luzi saw them out.
Li Chenjiao asked Xiao Luzi to bring the things in. When Li Chenjiao opened them, they turned out to be nothing but a stack of books.
Li Chenjiao flipped to the top book, but it wasn't anything else; it was a travelogue. She glanced at the bottom pages, which were mostly miscellaneous notes, but… why was there a sheet of silver at the very bottom???
Is this the Fourth Prince's new hobby?
Li Chenjiao was stunned for a moment, her mouth wide open, then she waved her hand: "Keep the money, quietly. If Fourth Master asks about it next time he comes back, just say you didn't have it."
Qiu Hu twitched her lips, thinking to herself that Fourth Master probably wouldn't ask about this...
However, Qiu Hu agreed anyway.
Li Chenjiao suddenly felt satisfied, and then began to read books every day.
And I must say, each of these books has its own unique charm, and the local customs and traditions are described in a particularly distinctive and interesting way.
Then, Li Chenjiao also started making annotations in the book, well, she learned it from the Fourth Prince.
Days passed by like this, and it rained for several days in a row. It was raining on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival as well.
The Fujin (principal wife) sent word early in the morning that dinner would be served at the Taiqing Courtyard.
Hmm, it seems to be in the courtyard behind the main courtyard.
The kitchen also sent over some zongzi (sticky rice dumplings). Li Chenjiao never minded whether it was sweet or savory, but the savory zongzi made by the kitchen were obviously more to her liking, and she ate several.
Qiu Hu came in from outside: "Which dress is the princess wearing today?"
Since we're dining together, we should at least dress in something bright and cheerful.
Li Chenjiao rested her chin on her hand: "Did the sewing room send over two more sets of clothes yesterday?"
Qiu Hu replied, "Yes, it was delivered personally by Granny Cui. She said there were still two summer outfits that hadn't been finished yet, and since it would be a while before they could wear them, she said she would sew them carefully and deliver them in June. She also asked what style the princess would like."
Apart from the fabrics that the princesses could obtain to have made at the sewing shop, each princess could have two or three sets of clothes made for the season each season.
Li Chenjiao said "Oh": "Just follow the rules. I have enough clothes to wear now. Let me see the clothes that were sent over."
Qiu Hu said "Eh" and went to get the clothes.
The two garments were a brocade satin dress, the light green color perfectly complemented by pale yellow accents, with two light-colored apricot blossoms embroidered on the cuffs, giving it a refreshing look.
The other one is made of Shu brocade, which feels very nice to the touch. It's a light cinnabar color, a delicate red, with a begonia pattern at the neckline. It's truly a beautiful and charming color.
Li Chenjiao couldn't help but take a second look.
Qiu Hu said, "Princess, why don't you wear this one?" She was referring to the light red one.
Li Chenjiao cupped her cheeks in her hands and shook her head slightly: "Wear the light green one. Fourth Master isn't here. Who are you going to see if you wear something so flamboyant?" Do you want to be punished?
Qiu Hu thought about it and agreed, so he put the clothes away.
Li Chenjiao watched Qiu Hu leave, yawned, and thought, "Hmm, time to read."
...
In the evening, Li Chenjiao ate a bowl of white fungus soup to fill her stomach. Hmm, it was for lunch, but it was cold by now.
Then Qiu Hu helped her change her clothes and style her hair. Before leaving, she stuffed two pieces of mung bean cake into her hand and headed to the Qing Courtyard.
They ran into Bai Jia on the way, and the two decided to go together.
"Princess Li is dressed quite simply today," Bai Jia said softly.
Bai Jiashi was dressed quite beautifully today, wearing a light orange qipao, which looked very nice. She also had a pair of gold and jade hairpins in her hair, along with many silk flowers, and a white jade lotus hairpin in the back. Compared to Li Chenjiao's outfit, she had put a lot of thought into it.
Li Chenjiao was dressed in a light green dress, with her hair in two small buns, three light-colored velvet flowers, a pair of plain silver hairpins, and a jade hairpin inserted at the back. Her simple attire made her look rather plain, which made her appear less attractive in comparison.
No wonder Bai Jia asked that question, her tone even carrying a hint of smugness.
But Bai Jia didn't see that the pair of jade bracelets on Li Chenjiao's hands were no ordinary items; they were the same pair that the Fujin had presented as a gift, the ones bestowed by the Consort De.
Li Chenjiao hummed in response but did not reply.
Bai Jia gritted her teeth, her smugness instantly deflated, and she finally shut her mouth in silence.
Having endured so many punishments, Bai Jiashi has learned her lesson.
The two entered the Qingyuan Courtyard one after the other. Xu Shi always arrived early, but Song Shi had not yet arrived today.
They all sat down, and later, Mrs. Song arrived. Judging by the days, Mrs. Song had been pregnant for almost three months.
After exchanging greetings and chatting idly, they waited for the Fujin (Madam Song) to sit down. Li Chenjiao noticed that Song Shi was dressed very simply today.
Sigh, they're all sensible people...
The princess arrived early, earlier than expected.
After the usual pleasantries, we began to get down to business and start the meal.
The princess glanced down, her gaze lingering on Bai Jia Shi for a while before casually looking away.
Li Chenjiao took a couple of sips of the fruit wine; it was sweet and sour, and quite delicious.
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